Container closure

ABSTRACT

A closure and finish ring assembly for a container in which both the closure proper and the finish ring which is received over the container and at the same time in turn receives the closure, may be formed as a unit and installed on the container by a press-on action without intentional rotation. After the ring and closure are in place on the container, the closure is removed by rotation thereof after releasing a lock provided to provide the container with a so-called tamper proof feature. In one form, the closure is cammed axially upwardly at the same time the closure skirt is deflected slightly outwardly for release from the finish ring. In another embodiment, complete or partial threads are formed on the ring associated with the container for separating the closure from the ring as the closure is moved axially. The closure and ring may be formed as a single unit by double injection molding, with the interface between the ring and closure forming, in effect, part of the mold for formation of the associated part. Molding materials and processing steps are selected so that the ring and closure do not bond to each other during formation.

United States Patent Westfall [151 3,677,431 [451 July 18, 1972 CONTAINER CLOSURE [72] Inventor: James E. Wstfall, Western Springs, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc, New

York, NY.

22 Filed: April 6,1970

21 Appl.No.: 25,787

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,486,654 12/1969 Schellhas ..2l5/43 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall AttorneyGreist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey [57] ABSTRACT A closure and finish ring assembly for a container in which both the closure proper and the finish ring which is received over the container and at the same time in turn receives the closure, may be formed as a unit and installed on the container by a press-on action without intentional rotation. After the ring and closure are in place on the container, the closure is removed by rotation thereof after releasing a lock provided to provide the container with a so-called tamper proof feature. In

' one form, the closure is cammed axially upwardly at the same time the closure skirt is deflected slightly outwardly for release from the finish ring. in another embodiment, complete or partial threads are formed on the ring associated with the container for separating the closure from the ring as the closure is moved axially. The closure and ring may be formed as a single unit by double injection molding, with the interface between the ring and closure forming, in effect, part of the mold for formation of the associated part. Molding materials and processing steps are selected so that the ring and closure do not bond to each other during formation.

16 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 4 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 18,1972

. INVENTOR JAMES E. WESTFALL Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,431

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 YIIIIII I -24 'Illlllllllllllm Y .t

INVENTDR JAMES E. WESTFALL WZMQW ATT' Y5.

Patented July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JAMES E. WESTFALL BY WWQW% ATT'YS.

Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,431

4 Sheetsh et 4 INVENTOR JAMES E. WESTFALL BY ATT'YS.

CONTAINER CLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to closure, systems or assemblies for jars, bottles, cans and the like, and more particularly, to closures of the so-called press-on, twist-off type wherein the closure is placed on or over an axial end of an associated container such as a jar or can without intentional rotation, and is locked in place with such container, from which it may be removed without damage only by intentional rotation of the closure.

Closure systems of this type have proved very successful in 'the container industry, since they possess a number of inhereint advantages. For example, in the case of baby food products or the like, which are sold commonly in small, single serving containers, the cost of the closure system must be very low in order for the entire product to be of reasonable cost. In such cases, it is desired to provide a tight seal, easy removability, and ease of manufacture and assembly. It has been found that a press-on, twist-off cap is very advantageous in these respects because in sealing the caps to the jars it is not necessary to index the jars to a particular position in relation to the closure, it is not necessary to provide means to tighten the cap to a predetennined torque, and yet the degree of force or torque necessary to effect removal of the cap can be carefully regulated in a simple but economical manner. Accordingly, it is known that there are a number of advantages in the presson, twist-off system.

Another type of closure system which has been considered desirable from the standpoint of convenience in manufacture and economy is the closure system wherein the container finish, that is, the part of the container which engages the cap or like closure upon sealing, is a separately formed or removable part of the container rather than being an integrally formed part thereof. Thus, constructions have been proposed wherein the so-called top and/or side finish portions of a container are formed as part of a separate ring rather than as integral portions of the jar or other container, and wherein, in some cases, the gasket or other sealing part of the closure contacts portions of the ring rather than portions of the container proper.

In such constructions, the cap or closure itself has customarily been a relatively conventional cap, such as a metal cap having a top panel and a skirt portion and including a gasket of one sort or another on an inner surface thereof. In such constructions, the cap has been more or less conventional with the finish ring being a separately formed element which is otherwise similar to the top and/or side finish portions of the container itself.

The present invention relates to closure systems having certain of the advantages of these various prior art constructions, but differing therefrom by reason of having difierent features of construction and possessing certain other and further advantages and features not found in known prior art constructions.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composite closure and finish ring system in which the assembly is placed on an associated container, and in which the closure only is removed by rotation, with the ring remaining on the container.

Another object is to provide a closure system in which the closure and the finish ring may be formed by a multi-step operation wherein one part of the composite assembly is formed, by injection molding for example, in one step of the operation, and the remainder of the forming operation includes the use of portions of the previously formed components as amold for the remaining parts of the assembly.

Another object is to provide a composite finish ring and closure which may be formed as a unit, but in which the parts thereof are readily separable for the purpose of removing the closure from a container having the ring associated therewith.

Another object is the provision of a composite ring and closure which may be formed separately and in which the closure is, in use, locked to the ring by means which provide an increased radial clearance between the ring and closure upon closure rotation for removal thereof, to provide reduced friction when the closure is removed.

Another object is the provision of a double injection molded, composite finish ring and closure assembly which may be pressed into a container as a unit without intentional rotation, and which may then be separated into two elements by removal of the closure from the ring.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a finish ring and closure assembly in which a tamper proof seal or lock may be provided to prevent undesired rotation of the closure or to indicate that such removal has previously been accomplished or attempted.

A still further object is the provision of a method of making a composite closure and finish ring assembly for press-on association with a jar or other container and the removal therefrom by rotation of the closure serving to separate the closure from the ring.

A still further object is to provide a ring and closure assembly for use with the associated container in which said assembly may readily be manufactured by so called double injection molding.

These objects, and other inherent objects and advantages of the invention, are accomplished by providing a composite finish ring and closure assembly in which the ring is assembled into a position of use in association with a container without intentional rotation of said assembly, and in which the closure position of the assembly may be subsequently removed from the assembly by rotating it in relation to the ring, which is held fixed in relation to said container. The objects of the invention are also accomplished by the provision of a method for making the composite finish ring and closure of the invention.

The exact manner in which these objects and advantages are accomplished will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the accompanying detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container having a composite ring and closure assembly of the invention associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view, with portions broken away, of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container and closure of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the finish ring used with the form of closure shown in Figs;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3 and showing a portion of the composite closure and finish ring of the invention in position of use in an associated container;

FIG. 6 is an exploded vertical sectional view showing portions of the container, ring, and closure with the closure spaced axially apart from the ring;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the tamper proof feature of one form of the closure and ring assembly of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another form of closure and ring assembly of the invention, associated with a container;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view, with portions broken away, of a modified form of closure and ring shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container, closure and ring of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the finish ring element of the form of invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 10 and showing a portion of the composite ring and closure of FIG. 9 in position of use atop an associated container;

FIG. 13 is an exploded sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a tamper proof locking feature used with the ring and closure assembly of FIGS. 9-13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Although it will be understood that the present invention is useful in a number of forms, and that the exact form of a container with which the ring and closure assembly is associated in use do not form an essential part of the invention, and that the particular forms of ring and closure to be described are merely illustrative of the features of the invention, the invention will be described with reference to a finish ring and closure assembly which is formed of a plastic or like material, and in which is used in association with a glass container or the like. When terms such as up, down, or other terms indicating directional orientation are used, will be understood that such terms are intended to apply to the position of the ring and closure when associated with a container which is in a normal upright position of use with the opening thereof at the top. Accordingly, the term axial movement" as used herein refers to motion in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder or like figure formed by the jar, can, or other container with which the closure system of the invention is associated in use.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and particularly FIGS. 1-7, one form of the invention is shown to be embodied in a closure system 20 for a container such as a glass jar 22 or the like. The closure assembly 20 includes a closure portion 24 and a finish ring portion 26 received above an annular rib 28 extending around the upper portion 30 of the container 22. The closure 24 includes a top panel portion 32, a stacking ring 34 extending circumferentially therearound and a depending skirt portion 36 terminating in alternately disposed generally axially facing inclined ramps 38 and flat closurepositioning surfaces 40 adapted to engage complementary, generally oppositely axially facing ramp surfaces 42 and closure positioning surfaces 44. A groove 46 is formed in one portion of the closure skirt 36 and includes a depending locking tab 48 which is shown to be associated with a pair of side walls 50 defining a locking groove 74 (FIG. 7) located in the lower, outer surface portion 52 of the ring 26.

As is clearly shown in FIGS. 2, and 6, for example, the inner surface 54 of the skirt 36 includes a tongue 56 adapted to extend into a complementary groove 58 formed in an upper side wall portion 60 of the ring 26. A generally rounded top finish portion 62 of the ring 26 lies above the groove 58 and is integrally formed with the body of the finish ring 26.

Referring now in more detail to the positioning of the ring 26 on the container 22, FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 show that a bottom surface 64 of the ring 26 is disposed in overlying relation to the rib 28, and that a generally annular groove 66 extends around the upper portion 30 of the container 22 a portion of the rib 28 and a portion of an upper rib 68 on the container 22. This groove 66 includes a number of notches or serrations 70 (FIG. 2) thereon for purposes which will appear more fully herein.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 5, it can be seen that a bead or band 72 of an adhesive material may, if desired, be provided between ribs 68, 28 in groove 66. Such material may be disposed elsewhere, if desired, or may be eliminated if the pressure or vacuum seal provided thereby is not necessary, or is provided by other means such as a gasket located on the inner surface of the ring 26a.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be noted that, by reason of the shapes of the closure camming and supporting surfaces 38, 40, and the complementary shapes of the surfaces 42, 44 on the ring 26, unlike conventional closures in which threads or the like are employed to retain a closure in place, a certain amount of plastic or elastic deformation will take place in the skirt 36, or in the tongue and groove portions 56, 58 of the closure skirt 36 and the ring 26, in order for the closure to be removed axially from the ring 26, with which it is associated. Accordingly, the tongue and groove 56, 58 are made from a deformable material and are sized and shaped so as to be sufficiently flexible in relation to the force able to be generated by rotating the closure 24 relative to the ring 26 that the tongue 56 will ride out of the groove 58 upon such rotation and release the closure for free axial removal from the ring 26. Thus, the configuration of the tongue and groove 56, 58 serves to determine, at least in part, the sealing characteristics of the closure, as well as the torque required to effect removal of the closure 24 from the ring 26. This relation is shown in FIG. 6, where the closure 24 is shown to be removed, and it will be seen in this view that the closure 24 has resumed its prior shape by reason of its own innate resiliency.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be noted that the locking portion 48 attached by a frangible connection such as a thin web to the slot 46 formed by the walls 50 in the ring 26. Accordingly, it will be seen that with the locking tab 48 lying in the slot 74, rotation of the closure 24 will be resisted, and if accomplished, will result in breakage or noticeable bending of this tab 48, thereby indicating to a prospective purchaser that the closure has been opened or that the closure system has been tampered with.

However, the tab 48, joined by the thin web, is able to be ruptured or removed without application thereto of excessive force.

FIG. 7, which is on an enlarged scale, also shows that, in the preferred form of the invention, a plurality of anti-slip areas such as grooved or serrated gripping portions 76 are formed on the skirt 32 of the closure 24. This affords added convenience where the material from which the assembly is formed is naturally lubricous, for example, or is of otherwise smooth contour.

Referring now to the use of the closure assembly 20 and the method of assembling it with an associated container 22, it is normally intended that the finish ring 26 be formed in one stage of a two stage forming operation such as double injection molding, whereby the closure 24 is formed in another step, using the just-formed ring 26 as a part of the mold for the being-fonned closure 24, so that the resulting product is a composite assembly.

Assuming that the container is a glass jar of the type shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, for example, and that a pair of upper and lower ribs 68, 28 are formed thereon and define a ring-receiving groove 66 therebetween, the entire assembly consisting of the closure 24 and the ring 26 is forced axially downwardly over the upper rib 68 without intentional rotation of the ring 26, over the rib 68. This action is facilitated by the provision of the beveled annular inner surface 78 of the ring 26. Once this ring 26 is in the position shown in FIG. 6 and 6, for example, it is axially locked in place by reason of the increased width of the rib 28 which prevents downward axial movement, and by reason of the shoulder 80 which partially defines the groove 82 for receiving the rib 68 and which prevents further downward movement. A bead 72 of adhesive material can be used to lock the ring 26 in place and, if of continuous extent around the groove 66, will also serve to seal the contents of the container from leakage in the region of the groove 66. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the adhesive may supplement the action of the serration 70 in locking the ring against rotation.

FIG. 2 clearly shows that serrations 70 may be provided in the groove 66 also for the purpose of preventing rotation of the ring, and these serrations may be present for co-operation with such an adhesive material, if desired, or may serve as a substitute therefor. Furthermore, the serrations 70 may cooperate with counterparts thereof (not shown) on the inner surface of the ring 26 in a known manner, or the gripping action provided thereby may be accomplished only by reason of the serrations 70 digging into the surface 84. Once the ring 26 is thus held in the position shown, it cannot rotate relative to the container 22 unless relatively very great torque is applied thereto. Since the closure 24 is not bonded to the ring 26, although it may be formed using a part of the ring as the mold, rotational force applied to the closure 24 causes the closure 24 to ride axially upwardly, deforming the tongue 66 as already pointed out, and freeing the outer surface 60 of the ring 5 26 from contact with the inner surface 54 of the closure 24 for removal thereof from the container 22.

The container 22 may be rescaled by the reverse process, namely, forcing the cover 24 axially over the ring 26, rotating it somewhat if necessary to bring about alignment of surfaces 38, 40 with surfaces 42, 44, respectively.

Referring now to the manufacture of the composite closure assembly 20, it will be assumed that the ring portion 26 is desired to be manufactured first. This is accomplished by forming, such as by injection molding, for example, a ring 26 having all the contours shown including the top and side finish portions, serrations, threads, etc. Thereupon, the die in which the ring 26 is formed may be rotated in a manner well known in the double injection molding art so as to present a second mold cavity having the exterior contour of the cap 24, and an inner surface mold contour which will be defined not only by the flat inner surface 86 of the top panel portion 32, but also by an inner contour having the shape of the grooved, cammed, and/or threaded portion of the outer surfaces of the ring 26, so that the cap contours are of complementary shape relative to the ring contours.

At the same time, the locking tab 48 or like element is also integrally formed with the closure 24 so as to fit snugly but removably into the groove 74. Depending on the nature of the tamperproof feature desired, the tab 48 and groove 74 may be made by different means. In other words, a weak or thin cross section tear line may be formed by joining the closure 24 to the tab 48, with the tab 48 being strongly held in groove 74. On the other hand, the tab 48 may be formed so as to be freely movable out of the slot 24, with such movement being sufficient to tear off the tab 48, or effect permanent noticeable deformation thereof so that the fact of previous opening or tampering therewith will be readily noticeable.

Accordingly, the closure may be formed of a material which is non-adherent in respect to the material comprising the ring 26, or it may be formed of a material which, although similar or even the same, will not adhere or bond to the previously formed ring 26 by reason of molding conditions or the like. Furthermore, similar materials which might otherwise form a bond may be used, with a release agent being applied to the pertinent surfaces of the ring 26 if so indicated.

The method of forming parts in this manner, that is, by double injection molding, is well known per se and therefore, although it does not form a part of the invention which is novel per se, this method is particularly useful and highly advantageous when used in this manner for this purpose. Accordingly, it is not believed to be known to use the method to form composite ring and closure assemblies, particularly those wherein the mating parts formed by the double molding technique cooperate with each other not only for the purpose of keeping the ring and closure assembly together as a unit for shipping, handling, and assembly, but also for determining the characterof the seal formed and the torque characteristics required for removing the closure 24 from the ring 26 subsequent to assembly with an associated container.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 8-14, another embodiment of the invention is shown which is similar in some respects to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, but which differs therefrom in a number of other respects, some of which will be referred to herein. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, it will be seen that the container 22a includes associated therewith a composite finish ring and closure assembly 20a, with this asembly 20a in turn comprising a closure 24a and a closure-receiving finish ring 26a received in groove 66a held in place over the upper portion 300 of the container 22a by the upper rib 68a and the larger diameter, lower rib 280, both ribs 68a, 28a extending circumferentially around the upper portion 30a of the container 22a. Serrations 70a or the like are shown to be provided to prevent rotation of the ring 26a in respect to the container 22a, while the ribs 68a, 28a prevent axial movement of the ring 26a in either direction. In addition to the locking tab 48a which is receiveable in the slot 740 defined by side walls 50a, and the knurled or serrated outer gripping surfaces 76a, which have counterparts in the earlier described embodiment, the closure 240 also includes a stacking ring 34a surmounting a top panel 32a. A beveled surface 78a lies adjacent the lower surface 64a of the ring 26a for facilitating assembly thereof with the container 22a. The ring 26a may be also secured in place against rotation by a layer or bead 72a of an adhesive material disposed between the groove 66a and the inner surface 84a of the ring 26a. A shoulder 80a partially defines a top groove 82a for receiving the top ring locking rib 68a.

Means on the ring 26a for engaging the closure 24a are present in the form of radially outwardly extending threads having one end portion 102 thereof of reduced radial extent with respect to the opposite end portion 104, that is, the outer surface 106 of the thread is of gradually decreasing diameter in the counterclockwise direction of its progression around the ring, when viewed from the top. The edges 104 of the threads 100 will be seen to merge into the lower portion of the ring 26a.

These threads 100 are formed in this manner so that, upon rotation of the cap 24a with respect to the ring 26a, the skirt portion 360 of the closure 24a which, in the closed position of the cap 240, snugly engages the threads 100, upon rotation of the closure 24a, gradually draws away from the threads 100 so that a clearance is formed between the threads 100 and the skirt 36a. As a result, frictional contact between these parts is gradually reduced, and radial clearance is provided to facilitate axial removal of the closure. When the container 22a is reclosed, an opposite action takes place, namely, the closure 24a is located in place over the ring 25a and is progressively more firmly fastened in place upon rotation thereof in the clockwise direction.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show that removal of the closure 240 from the ring 26a is accomplished in the same manner as it is accomplished in regard to the cap and ring 24, 26 of FIGS. 5 and 6, for example.

The operation of the locking tab 48a is the same as that of its counterpart, and in other principal respects, the form of composite closure assembly shown in FIGS. 8-14 is similar to the form thereof shown on FIGS. 1-7.

Likewise, the manner of molding or otherwise forming of the assemblies may be the same. In this connection it will be understood that either the ring 26a or the closure 24a may be first formed with the other portion thereof being subsequently formed. On the other hand, there is no need that these assemblies be formed by the double injection molding technique referred to herein. In the event that the rings 26, 26a and closures 24, 24a are desired to be separately formed, it may also be desirable to form the inner surface 54a of the closure 240 with a slight angle of incidence or departure form the outside surface 60a of the ring 26a, dimensioning these parts for minimum interference, except adjacent the bottom portion of the skirt 36a and in the vicinity of the threads 100 or the ramp surfaces 38, 42.

The above description has been made with reference to an embodiment of the invention wherein the container 22, 22a is a glass jar or bottle. It will be understood, however, that the invention is also equally applicable to other forms of containers to be used in association with the ring and closure systems of the invention. For example, such containers include plastic jars or bottles, metal cans, and the like.

It is anticipated that closures and rings will be formed from plastic materials, such as thermoplastic materials which may be easily injection molded. However, other materials, including thermosetting plastics and other materials may be equally suitable for practice of the invention.

Ring and closure systems made according to the invention are useful with any number of products, or in fact any type of product compatible with the material comprising the ring, closure, and adhesive, if any. A particular advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the threads need not be formed on the container, and therefore no orientation thereof in the packaging or filling machine or the like is necessary since the ring is of the press-on type, and the closure is a tum-off type closure. However, the primary seal may be a plastic-toplastic seal and the thread, ramp or other configuration providing means for causing axial movement of the cap upon rotation may be varied without making changes in the plastic jar or bottle. Thus, a standard jar may be made having a groove or like means for receiving a ring, and any number of different forms of rings and closures will be useful therewith, provided only that the portion thereof received by the container is standard. In other words, a single style, size, and shape of jar would be equally useful with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-7, the forms shown in FIGS. 8-14 and other forms not specifically illustrated.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, it will be understood that, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle of inclination of the ramps 38 should not be excessive. Although the exact angle used does not form a critical part of the invention, at present, angles of the order shown in these drawings, or lesser angles, are preferred. In this connection, it will also be appreciated that the overall height of the ramps 38 should equal or exceed the axial spacing between groove 58 and the top finish portion 62 of the ring 26, so that tongue 56 will be free from engagement with the ring 26 when the closure 24 is rotated to its full extent for removal.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a novel ring and closure assembly and method for containers and the like having a number of advantages and characteristics, including those pointed out herein and others which are inherent in the invention.

Iclaim:

l. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a seal finish for receiving an axially inwardly directed closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adaptcd to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring.

2. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said portions of said skirt engaging said ring comprise threads on the inner surface thereof for engaging corresponding threads on said ring.

3. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided on said ring for engaging at least a portion of said associated container for preventing rotation of said ring relative to said container.

4. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said portions of said skirt engaging said portion of said ring includes a groove formed in one of said ring and said closure, and a complementary tongue formed in the other of said ring and closure.

5. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, in said means including a plurality of ramps on said ring, said ramps having generally axial facing surfaces for engaging oppositely directed surfaces on said ring.

6. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided for axial removal of said closure upon relation thereof relative to said ring, said means including threads on said ring, said threads having portions thereof of increased radial extent relative to other portions thereof, whereby a closure operatively associated therewith will have the skirt portion thereof snugly engaged by said threads on said ring upon locking rotation of said closure.

7. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which a portion of said closure is adapted to engage a portion of said ring to form locking means for preventing relative movement of said ring and closure with respect to each other while said locking means remain engaged.

8. A closure system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for preventing rotation of said ring include an adhesive on an inner surface of said ring for attachment of said ring to said associated container.

9. A closure system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for preventing rotation of said ring include teeth on an inner surface of said ring for engaging a part of said associated container.

10. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said ring and said closure are fonned of a synthetic plastic material.

11. A composite closure assembly for a container comprising, in combination, a closure receiving element adapted to be disposed over a portion of the container with which said assembly is associated in use and a closure element adapted to be removably received from said closure receiving element, said closure having an axially facing surface for engaging a seal finish portion of said closure receiving element, said closure receiving element including means for engaging a portion of said container to prevent removal thereof from said container when said closure receiving element is in position of use, means on said closure receiving element for providing a top seal finish for reception thereover of said closure element, means on said closure receiving element for engaging said cover element and retaining it in place, means for releasing said closure element from said closure receiving element upon rotation of said cover, means for preventing unintentional rotation of said closure receiving element relative to said associated container, said closure element including complementary means for engaging said engaging means on said receiving element, whereby rotational force applied to said cover will release said cover from said cover receiving element, leaving said cover receiving element in place on said associated container.

12. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring fonning a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said portions of said skirt engaging said portion of said ring including a groove formed in one of said ring and said closure, and a complementary tongue formed in the other of said ring and closure.

13. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, which further include means for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, said means including a plurality of ramps on said ring, said ramps having generally axially facing surfaces for engaging oppositely directed surfaces on said ring.

14. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, which further includes means for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, said means including threads on said ring, said threads having portions thereof of increased radial extent relative to other portions thereof, whereby a closure operatively associated therewith will have the skirt portion thereof snugly engaged by said threads on said ring upon locking rotation of said closure.

15. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said system further including an adhesive on an inner surface of said ring for attachment of said ring to said associated container to prevent rotation of said ring.

16. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said system further including teeth on an inner surface of said ring for engaging a part of said associated container to prevent rotation of said ring. 

1. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a seal finish for receiving an axially inwardly directed closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring.
 2. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said portions of said skirt engaging said ring comprise threads on the inner surface thereof for engaging corresponding threads on said ring.
 3. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided on said ring for engaging at least a portion of said associated container for preventing rotation of said ring relative to said container.
 4. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said portions of said skirt engaging said portion of said ring includes a groove formed in one of said ring and said closure, and a complementary tongue formed in the other of said ring and closure.
 5. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, in said means including a plurality of ramps on said ring, said ramps having generally axial facing surfaces for engaging oppositely directed surfaces on said ring.
 6. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided for axial removal of said closure upon relation thereof relative to said ring, said means including threads on said ring, said threads having portions thereof of increased radial extent relative to other portions thereof, whereby a closure operatively associated therewith will have the skirt portion thereof snugly engaged by said threads on said ring upon locking rotation of said closure.
 7. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which a portion of said closure is adapted to engage a portion of said ring to form locking means for preventing relative movement of said ring and closure with respect to each other while said locking means remain engaged.
 8. A closure system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for preventing rotation of said ring include an adhesive on an inner surface of said ring for attachment of said ring to said associated container.
 9. A closure system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for preventing rotation of said ring include teeth on an inner surface of said ring for engaging a part of said associated container.
 10. A closure system as defined in claim 1 in which said ring and said closure are formed of a synthetic plastic material.
 11. A composite closure assemBly for a container comprising, in combination, a closure receiving element adapted to be disposed over a portion of the container with which said assembly is associated in use and a closure element adapted to be removably received from said closure receiving element, said closure having an axially facing surface for engaging a seal finish portion of said closure receiving element, said closure receiving element including means for engaging a portion of said container to prevent removal thereof from said container when said closure receiving element is in position of use, means on said closure receiving element for providing a top seal finish for reception thereover of said closure element, means on said closure receiving element for engaging said cover element and retaining it in place, means for releasing said closure element from said closure receiving element upon rotation of said cover, means for preventing unintentional rotation of said closure receiving element relative to said associated container, said closure element including complementary means for engaging said engaging means on said receiving element, whereby rotational force applied to said cover will release said cover from said cover receiving element, leaving said cover receiving element in place on said associated container.
 12. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said portions of said skirt engaging said portion of said ring including a groove formed in one of said ring and said closure, and a complementary tongue formed in the other of said ring and closure.
 13. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, which further include means for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, said means including a plurality of ramps on said ring, said ramps having generally axially facing surfaces for engaging oppositely directed surfaces on said ring.
 14. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, which further includes means for axial removal of said closure upon rotation thereof relative to said ring, said means including threads on said ring, said threads having portions thereof of increased radial extent relative to other portions thereoF, whereby a closure operatively associated therewith will have the skirt portion thereof snugly engaged by said threads on said ring upon locking rotation of said closure.
 15. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said system further including an adhesive on an inner surface of said ring for attachment of said ring to said associated container to prevent rotation of said ring.
 16. A closure system for a container comprising, in combination, a ring for reception over an end portion of an associated container, portions of the surface of said ring forming a finish for receiving a closure in a sealing relation, a closure associated with said finish ring and having thereon a closure skirt with portions thereof engaged with said finish in complementary relation thereto, said ring being adapted to be received over a portion of an associated container without intentional rotation thereof and means associated with said closure system for providing removal of said closure from said ring upon relative rotation between said closure and said ring, said system further including teeth on an inner surface of said ring for engaging a part of said associated container to prevent rotation of said ring. 